SYSTEM AND TOOL FOR ACCESSING SATELLITE FILL/DRAIN VALVES DURING PROPELLANT RESUPPLY

摘要

Herein is disclosed a tool, system and method for refueling on-orbit spacecraft. The tool and system are configured to allow for resupply of spacecraft configured to be propelled by either a bipropellant (oxidizer and fuel) or a monopropellant (typically hydrazine). The refueling tool is particularly suited for resupply of satellites not originally prepared for refueling but the system may also be used for satellites specifically designed for refueling.

主权项

1. A method for remotely opening rotationally removable access components mounted on a client satellite, the access components on the client satellite having rotatable and static features, comprising:
activating a positioning mechanism mounted on a servicer satellite and releasably coupling an end-effector on the positioning mechanism to a tool mounted on the servicer satellite; positioning the tool over the rotationally removable access components and aligning a wrench having a first adjustable wrench mechanism section and a second adjustable wrench mechanism section mounted in the tool over the rotationally removable access components until a rotational axis of the wrench is aligned with a rotational axis of the rotationally removable access components so that the first adjustable wrench mechanism section of the wrench is engaged with the rotatable feature of the rotationally removable access components and the second adjustable wrench mechanism section of the wrench is engaged with the static feature of the rotationally removable access component components; and activating the wrench for applying equal and opposite forces to the rotatable feature and the static feature to apply bi-directional torque to the rotatable feature while reacting the torque on the static feature.